Nn Shipbuilding Gets Cruise Ship Contract

Win Boosts Yard's Position To Seek Commercial Work

May 06, 1994|By LISA HUBER Daily Press

Newport News Shipbuilding announced Thursday it won part of a $28 million contract to overhaul the SS Independence, a Hawaiian-based cruise ship.

Winning the contract boosts the yard's market position in seeking more commercial work, to fill the gaps left by declining Navy production, said yard spokesman Jack Schnaedter. The yard was among 16 other shipyards, including two foreign yards, that competed for the work.

Last month the yard announced it would cut up to 7,150 jobs by the end of 1996 as it works off its Navy ship backlog.

The 43-year-old Independence, owned by American Hawaii Cruise Lines, is scheduled to arrive in Newport News July 19 and return to service touring the Hawaiian islands Oct. 5.

The yard will be the project manager for the overhaul, which includes structural repairs, machinery replacement, cabin and public space renovations, and air conditioning, electrical and pollution control upgrades, Schnaedter said.

Newport News' share of the job is $12 million. White- and blue-collar workers at Newport News will be involved, Schnaedter said.

The Independence's sister ship, the SS Constitution, is scheduled for a similar overhaul next year. American Hawaii has not decided who will do that job, said Heidi Nelson, company manager for public relations.

The two 683-foot ships operate three, four and five-day cruises around the Hawaiian Islands. They are the only two U.S.-flag ocean liners now operating there, according to Nelson.

The Delta Queen Steamboat Co. bought American Hawaii Cruise Lines and the two ships in August.